The "Know-Nothings" Tribes of NWI

It is amazing what little understanding local politicians and civic leaders have of the role of government in economic development.

As the new economy in India has proven over the past 30 years, when it comes to the economy, government does not create anything; it can only nurture the conditions that allow the private marketplace to flourish, allowing for the creation of an economic juggernaut. LaPorte County has recognized this rule of economic development and understands that in Northwest Indiana — especially Lake County — government is the problem.

The underlying factor is not that government makes bad decisions; rather, it is the very nature of NWI’s tribal government. Its purpose is not setting the conditions for economic development; rather, it is setting the conditions for groups of people to achieve economic development and prestige from the government. The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is one of the best institutional examples of NWI governmental ineptness. It makes the ultimate good sense for LaPorte County to reject joining it.

There are people we will call know-nothings, clamoring that this is a lost opportunity. The know-nothings criticize LaPorte County — and especially Michigan City’s government — for not joining the wonderful, forward-looking RDA. These know-nothings are the people who have had the insight on running and improving Lake County the past 15 years in terms of education, housing stock, high-tech jobs and airport development. Are we truly to believe the know-nothings that the RDA was going to be the new panacea for NWI? Maybe it is going to follow in the footsteps of that great panacea called gambling revenue? To the know-nothings, gambling was supposed to be the economic development panacea. It continues to have everything going for it. Lots and lots of money to distribute to the city governments of Hammond, East Chicago and Gary — and lots and lots of money to distribute to county government, which redistributes some of the money to each little town and city in Lake County.

Now, after almost $2 billion from gambling, NWI has higher crime, lower school performance, little new employment, a huge brain drain of its young people, higher education with no substance, and middle-class flight to LaPorte County.

The know-nothings now embrace the RDA. Its airport goal has always been a failure for one major reason — it is surrounded by incompetence. The know-nothing government will not allow it without its tribes benefiting. Then, there is the train to Valparaiso, paid for by the know-nothing governments of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago. There is no benefit for those cities, but rather, the benefit is for the politicians’ tribes.

The bus system is the biggest joke. No one wants it, least of all LaPorte County. It is being promoted by people who never would ride a bus, but this will make money for the politicians’ tribal contractors.

Not a single member of the RDA was placed there for competence — only because of their tribal connections. But you can be assured they will deliver the millions of dollars to the right tribal contractors and consultants.

If there really was a desire for change, people outside the know-nothings’ tribes need to be brought on board. NWI has many such people. A good example is my fellow columnist Joe Gomeztagle.